Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with expenses

Cost of Living in South Africa

Anonymous — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:13:48 -0800

Is USD$1,800/month enough to live comfortably in South Africa? Sorry for the anonymous question, I do not want people connecting my name with this post.

I am relocating to South Africa for 18 months to fulfill a lifelong dream of mine of writing a novel. I have enough savings in the bank to spend $1,800 per month on living expenses while in South Africa, probably Cape Town.

Is USD$1,800/month enough to live comfortably in South Africa?

Deflated by inflation

Anonymous — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:05:50 -0800

[Economics101Filter] How is it that the cost of living can go up, but salaries stay the same? Economics n00b questions inside. I've been away from the States for about 10 years. I come back, and am naturally shocked by how much more expensive everything has become. (FWIW, I live in NYC.) For instance, a diner meal for me was always under $10; now, breakfast is easily $15.

I was lucky enough to be able to land a job right away in my old sector. I was shocked a second time when I saw that salaries, as well as vendor costs, have stayed _exactly_ the same. (E.g., the average project/account manager's salary is around 50K - precisely the level I was at as a 3-year "veteran" when I left 10 yrs ago.)

Question: how does this work, exactly? Are people just living shittier lives? Eating out less (but this is New York!) Is this true across different sectors? Or is it just endemic to my sector? Will it eventually balance out? Is it just a sign of the times? Please enlighten this economics n00b!

(Anonymous because I feel too stupid asking these questions, and also because I don't want to announce my salary level to the entire world.)

They paid, now should I?

Anonymous — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 18:51:56 -0800

Can I expense these plane tickets or should I pay for them myself? I traveled to a conference tangentially related to my job to give a speech to the attendees. The organizers paid for my hotel room and offered meals as part of the conference.

I combined the trip to the conference with a trip to one of our corporate offices that was in a nearby city as I was due to visit that office anyway, and it made the most of a cross-country trip, while adding only a tiny amount in additional fees for the short hop flight between the two.

The airline tickets were not covered by the conference, but I planned to expense them since a) it was my boss who suggested I attend the conference and b) the trip involved the office visit, as well.

Upon opening the thank you card from the conference organizers, I discovered an unexpected and quite large honorarium. It would cover my airfare 4 times over.

So, should I use the honorarium to pay for the plane tickets? Expense them anyway?

I have a feeling there's a 'Duh' answer to this question, but I can't figure out if it's 'Duh, of course your company will pay for the plane tickets, they sent you to the conference, and the honorarium is for you, you, you!' or 'Duh, it would be totally unethical for you to expect your employer to pay for your plane tickets, that's what the honorarium is for!' because I've never done anything like this before. If the answer is 'ask your boss', I'll do that, but if there's a totally 'duh' answer, I don't want to look like an idiot by asking.

Education tax credit - can we claim it twice for two students?

deadmessenger — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 16:38:37 -0800

Can more than one student filing on the same US tax return claim the new American Opportunity Tax Credit? I am currently a half-time undergraduate student at a US university. I plan to claim on my 2009 US Tax return (1040) the American Opportunity Tax Credit (an expansion of the Hope tax credit), so as to receive a refund for some of my tuition expenses. In addition, Mrs. Deadmessenger plans to enroll in college for the first time this semester, and thus will have substantial eligible expenses of her own.

So, here's our question: The IRS's webpage is pretty clear on the fact that the maximum annual credit is $2500, representing 100% of the first $2000 in eligible expenses, and 25% of the next $2000. Is that $2500 limit a per-student limit, or a per-family limit? In other words, if I rack up $4000 in eligible expenses, and Mrs. Deadmessenger does as well, would the credit on our joint tax return be $2500 (meaning that the limit is per-family), or $5000 ($2500 for each of us, or a per-student limit)

The IRS' FAQ on the credit doesn't address this scenario.

Oh, and just to get it out of the way: You are not my tax professional, accountant, CPA, tax attorney, enrolled agent or tax preparer. Thanks in advance for your help anyway!

Is there a sane way to batch-convert a year of expenses from one currency to another in Excel?

doctorpiorno — Fri, 29 May 2009 03:24:57 -0800

Excel n00b filter: Is there a way to automatically convert an expense sheet from one currency to another by matching the date the cost was incurred with the exchange rate applicable on that specific day? I need to include a ton of expenses incurred while abroad in my yearly tax report, but all my receipts are in Japanese Yen. Therefore, I have to find out what the JPY - EUR exchange rate was on the day each expense was incurred and convert the amount to Euro. This is terribly time-consuming, so I'm looking for ways to automate the process.

I have managed to find a website that will let me download historical data of the exchange rates in Excel format, which makes things a bit easier. However, this would be much faster still if I could get Excel to automatically look up the exchange rates on that table according to the date and grab the correct rate for each entry.

I'm pretty sure there is a way to do this under Excel, but I can't find it for the life of me. Could one of the experts in the house kindly point me in the right direction? Thanks Hive Mind!

Yeah, great timing, I know.

divabat — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 22:11:45 -0800

I'm an artsworker trainee who's also in the early stages of starting a new small business. I've been jobhunting like crazy but nothing's happened yet. I need to cover my living expenses. What can I do? I graduated uni a couple of weeks ago (in the Creative Industries) and have just started a circus artsworker traineeship, with the goal of having enough skills & experience to train others by the end of the year. I've also been performing every so often, and training in performance, and I'm working on a small events/production assistance business.

So far I only have enough money to last me a month or so. I'm applying for permanent residency (I'm in Australia) and that eats up a LOT of money. I've been looking for jobs everywhere, in anything I could vaguely qualify for, but no luck - apparently in Australia every job has had 10 times more applicants than usual, so the job search has been more challenging for everybody.

The money I have is on loan from my parents, through a shared agreement (I didn't want to freeload off them but I do still want to eat). It's only enough for the next month because I'm going away from mid-May to end-July for my sister's wedding in Bristol. I was hoping to get a job that I could do now till May, take leave, and then start the job again when I return. I have casual jobs but they're infrequent and are hardly enough to let me do anything.

What can I do so that I can still afford rent, food, meds, sustenance? At least my creative training is free, but it's not earning me big bucks either. It kinda annoys me that the things that would let me have a better chance at jobhunting - such as getting RSA, RSG, First Aid, driving lessons - or things that improve my small business & arts skills, cost money...which requires getting a job!

I'm not eligible for Centrelink just yet. Once my PR app is lodged I can go on Medicare, which helps. Where else could I get some work to get money to live? (I did see an ad for a boarding school that provided rent & board in return for being an RA of sorts, but it was a Catholic one and they'd probably look down on my Pagan burlesque self).

Are there grants or sponsorships available for emerging artsworkers that don't require Aussie citizenship? Where can I get jobs that'll help me get some money? (I've looked at Seek, Careerone, Hippo, Artshub, Ployme - and some freelance sites like eLance and Guru which seem dodgy). What are some creative and effective ways of making enough to live on?

Cost benefits of city living

JaredSeth — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 09:28:36 -0800

What are some things (items, services, etc) that are cheaper in major cities than in suburban areas? My wife and I were thinking about it this morning, and the only examples we've come up with so far (based on our years here in NYC) are cut flowers and manicures\pedicures*

* Presumably because of competition - there are tons of nail salons in NYC and in addition to florists just about every bodega carries flowers.

Who blinks first

Fupped Duck — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 07:44:00 -0800

My employer, a publicly traded company incorporated in Delaware, is dragging its feet reimbursing me for about 5k in expense reports. I live and work in Calif. The reason for this is a genral company-wide liquidity problem. I don't expect my employment to last much more than a few mos more. What recourse do i have to get reimbursed?

How do we pay for this mistake?

Anonymous — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 16:02:57 -0800

AskMe the Ethicist: how do we divide this plumbing bill among 3 roommates (or am I a jerk for not wanting to split it evenly) We are three roommates.

One of us (the one who is a relatively recent arrival to the US) flushed a bowl of stew--containing pork bones--down the toilet, creating a massive plug and a $200+ plumbing bill our angry landlord won't cover, for obvious reasons.

If we divide it equally by 3 (the flusher apologized via email for a "bad decision" but hasn't mentioned or offered to take financial responsibility), I'm $80 in the hole I didn't budget for, for someone else's mistake. This is a lot of money for me.

However, the flusher hasn't been around to talk to since this happened, and the other roommate is hesitant to ask her to help defray the cost....we are all nice people trying to be nice, but if she hasn't offered to pay more than a third, is it bitchy to ask? Should I let it go in the interests of peaceful domestic relations? I honestly don't know. I don't want to create hard feelings or be "the bad guy", but again, it's a real chunk of change-- I don't normally spend that much ever, unless it's a bill, due to the frugal way I've had to live the last few years.

On the other hand, a comfortable, friendly living environment is important to me as well.

I'd write Randy Cohen but I suspect the turnaround here will be faster.

Help me keep track of my money when I'm on the go.

desjardins — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 09:45:01 -0800

What's the best way to keep track of expenditures while you're on the go? I use my debit card a lot but I don't carry a checkbook. I have a Samsung Flipshot phone (Verizon). Is there a secure mobile site where I can log in and enter my $50 gas purchase?

It costs WHAT?!?!

bitdamaged — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 14:04:19 -0800

Is there an easy way to estimate startup costs of a tech services company? So a few cohorts and I are looking to start a software development services company. While not necessarily a "startup" I believe our fixed and variable costs would be on par with a small tech startup minus a few differences particular to the organization.

It also seems that there must be a huge mass of people who have gone through putting together a spreadsheet with their startup cost estimates for a business plan or at least to prove themselves sane and I don't see the reason why I can't leverage their work (or something like it). I've found checklists with info and I think it would be fairly easy to put together what these line items are, I'm just trying to avoid some of the legwork of having to track down actual costs for everything.

What I'm looking for is some sort of pre-populated spreadsheet or calculator which would help jumpstart this process. Any ideas or pointers in the right direction?

The quality of luxury without the price or appearance

Furious Fitness — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 15:47:19 -0800

I used to get the cheapest liquid soap for washing hands I could find, but recently, I got the "shea butter" soap for $3 and found that the increased quality more than makes up for the increased cost. The question is: What else can I spend a little more on to get much more quality? (Fluffy towels, sheets, maybe?) Are there websites that review this?

Help? I need software to manage my budget!

idlm — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 04:46:01 -0800

I need software to manage my personal & business budget. I need to find a piece of software that can manage my income and track all of my expenses. The thing is that I have the income from my job, the income my wife's job, plus I also do some side jobs that I need to keep track of the money that comes in from that. Then I have all of my expenses and I don't know where the money goes. I also need to keep track for my taxes at the end of the year so that I can write certain things off.

Can you recommend any software that can do that?

Who pays -- business or employee?

youarejustalittleant — Sat, 07 Apr 2007 08:51:33 -0800

Small-business dilemma involving a company with three owners who have an agreement to split profit three ways. Owner A needs new laptop and wants to expense it to the business, as 99% of business is run/done online. Owner B thinks laptop should come out of A's share of the $ and not be counted as a business expense unless Owners A B & C all get laptops. Who should pay for the new computer? The business? Or should the cost of the laptop be subtracted from A's earnings?

Cost of traveling to various Asian cities

nyu2 — Tue, 31 Oct 2006 11:40:47 -0800

I need to estimate and compare the expense of a two-week business trip to the following cities: Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Beijing. My boss would like me to find out how much it cost for two people to travel on business to each of these cities for a two week period, but I haven't found anything on the internet that estimates and/or breaks down daily expenses in each of these cities. Can anyone help me out?

Is there is a company that will cancel your monthly services for you?

mphuie — Thu, 12 Oct 2006 23:14:16 -0800

Is there a service that will cancel a service for you? I've got a couple of subscription services (online mostly) that I keep meaning to cancel, but when I get around to it, either..

1. I don't have enough time to do it at that moment .. too much time on hold, waiting for a chat representative to respond. Or other arduos cancellation methods are so frustrating that you postpone it.
2. The charge is negligible that I put it off (because of time restraints) and end up forgetting about it? (I don't scour my CC bill every month)
3. I don't remember the account info/login, or even where to go to cancel it (because they don't have a phone number).
4. The don't know what the charge is exactly for.

I think i've overpaid hundreds of dollars for services I don't use, so my question is, is there a service that you can give your user/pass, account # (not bank), some basic info, etc. that will take care of all these things for you? I'd be willing to pay upwards for $100 to get everything straightened out.

I think whats put me over the edge is that I see this charge from Microsoft for $9 probably every 3 months that it seems is for my Xbox (not 360) that I haven't played for over a year. I've dug through the Xbox live site for ways to cancel, but I don't even remember what email i used to register or my username, and have no idea what # @ MS to call.

Can I use a purchase I plan to make in January 2007 as a 2006 tax deduction for my business?

jxpx777 — Tue, 05 Sep 2006 19:23:30 -0800

I am a Mac user, and I want to get a MacBook to replace my Powerbook for my web design business. But, I don't want to buy one until the next update comes out. More details to follow. Rumors are flying that Apple will update the MacBook line in September. (There are special events rumored for 9/12 and 9/25. 9/12 has been confirmed.) If that happens, I will buy one before the end of the year and my question won't be an issue.

If they don't update them in September, I suspect they won't update them until MWSF in January. If that happens, can I use the purchase I plan to make as a deduction for tax year 2006?

Who gets Grandpa?

Thorzdad — Mon, 21 Aug 2006 11:56:46 -0800

Do you have to claim the body of a deceased family member? I have no idea why this came up in conversation, but it did...

Suppose a family is having serious financial troubles. Suppose, then, that a member dies outside the home (hit by a car, suicide, etc.) Knowing that going through the traditional, multi-thousand-dollar scenario of embalming, funeral, grave/crypt/cremation, may well drain the family finances (even if there was some life insurance), could the family simply opt not to claim the body and walk away? Or does the fact of familial relationship legally obligate them to claim the body and, thus, pay for it's disposal?

Kind of morbid, I know.

How much to move

Deep Dish — Thu, 20 Jul 2006 18:50:00 -0800

I am interviewing for a new job shortly. I am trying to come up with a dollar figure for how much I should ask for. I will be changing cities, working a fairly similar job to the one I am in now, and moving to a city where the housing costs are slightly higher. How do I figure out how much I need to make the move? Is a calculator available to help with this decision? I am looking for raw numbers here, I will factor in social costs later. I own a small house, and my brother has agreed to assume the mortgage or rent the place. I would likely buy a house worth about 10K more than the one I live in now. I expect to incur some expenses in the transfer here but I expect worse case scenario is 2K.

My moving expenses would be fairly small. I don't own much. Two half-tonne loads going about 225KM should cover those expenses. Let's say maximum $500.

I earn right now somewhere around 33K-35K which is factoring in some profit sharing money, overtime and a bit of stock. I pay for most of my own benefits. I can usually expect a 3% raise every year. The stock I hold is the only retirement plan, and it has lost money recently and as far as I know has never paid a dividend. The profit sharing doesn't happen if the company loses money.

The new organization will pay more at least 37K a year, and I will probably seek 40-42K. The workweek is a half an hour a week shorter on average - I get every second Friday off. The benefit plan is cheaper and less comprehensive - which is fine because I don't use it much (knock on wood) except for glasses and drugs to deal with minor ailments from time to time (this year about $60 to me). I live in Canada so basic medical care is socialized. The pension plan is exceptional - if I stay there 20 years I probably retire a millionaire, and the workplace is unionized. Raises tend to come with every collective agreement. 3% is probably average. The Union dues are pretty stiff but tax deductible.

Taxes, auto insurance etc should all be the same.

Work-related travel expenses on my personal credit card?

macinchik — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 11:37:45 -0800

Is it unreasonable for me to be unwilling to put work-related travel expenses on my personal credit card? My company's process involves asking employees to put travel and lodging fees on their own credit card, and then file for reimbursement (which takes no less than a month).

I am not sure I will be working here much longer, the travel they want me to book would be expensive, and I just feel like asking me to finance it personally is a huge imposition, and a crossing of a line between my employment and my personal life.

Am I being ridiculous?

Moving to La-La Land

JPowers — Wed, 27 Jul 2005 13:19:27 -0800

I'm moving to LA soon and have two questions. First, I have a rental budget of around $1200 to $1500 a month for a one-bedroom (not a studio!). I want to live close enough to enjoy all that LA has to offer but not so close that I have to pay way more for a lot less. Any ideas on areas of town, specific rental agencies, websites, complexes, etc. Second, is living out there really all that much more expensive than saying living in Houston, Texas for example? Can anyone offer specifics on what costs so much.

How much rent is reasonable?

abbyladybug — Thu, 07 Jul 2005 13:47:45 -0800

Is there a formula somewhere that will help me determine how much I should be paying for rent based on my income? I’m moving to Boston, and I think I am looking at places in the correct price range, but how can I be sure? Let’s say my partner and I make a combined income of $65K. Is there an online tool that can help me plug in my estimated monthlies and come up with the declaration: Since you are living in TownX, you should pay between Y and Z in rent. Any more, and you’re going to be setting yourself up for disaster!

Per diems: Expenses and taxes in UK

kiwi.es — Fri, 15 Apr 2005 15:50:26 -0800

Hi all, I'm a senior technical project manager with specialist expertise in a vertical market inside the insurance sector, about to take on a 8-9 month project in Bristol but will be based (i.e. return twice a week ) in London. I'm a fulltime employee. What would be a sensible per-diem or equivalent package to ask for? The company is a young one, going places, and is fumbling a bit with the options. Time is my currency more than price. Here are some options explored:

- take a lump sum of cash instead. This of course would be taxable right? They're not sure on this (as I said, a young company). I'm wary of leaving the company and then the IRD hunting me down like the dog I am 2 years later with a mult-thousand-£ bill. So I have to watch my back.

- get a company credit card with an agreed limit, and live off that, including paying rent and everything, then it'd not be considered part of my salary

- select some accomodation (I'm looking at 1-2brm apt or house which would probably go for around £850pcm), get the company to pay for that, and expense travel and other misc costs.

Anyone had any creative ways of compensating for being away from home/girlfriend etc?

thanks!

Living on the Cheap

nj_subgenius — Sat, 19 Mar 2005 15:49:30 -0800

Any suggestions on how to cut spending on food and other 'discretionary' items? Going into austerity for 14-18 weeks until I find a new job. What's nutritious and cheap? Do any of you use Costco et al to buy food? If you do, how can you balance buying a pallette of frozen food against limited freezer space? Suggestions welcome.

Food budgeting

wtfwjd? — Mon, 13 Dec 2004 10:12:12 -0800

How much do you spend on food a week? What is the ratio of eating out and eating at home you do to arrive at that number? What is the least a couple can spend per week and still eat well? How does one transition from eating out every meal and being pretty clueless in the kitchen to eating in (saving lots of money) but without spending hours and hours making food and cleaning up? How do we do this without TV Dinners, microwavable foods etc?